Nanoparticles and Nanotechnology: From Source, Properties, Types, Synthesis to Multifaceted Functional Potential in Agriculture

Abstract Repeated infections with endemic human coronaviruses are thought to reflect lack of long-lasting protective immunity. Here, we evaluate circulating human CD4 T cells collected prior to 2020 for reactivity towards hCoV spike proteins, probing for the ability to produce IFN-γ, IL-2 or granzyme B. We find robust reactivity to spike-derived epitopes, comparable to influenza, but highly variable abundance and functional potential across subjects, depending on age and viral antigen specificity. To explore the potential of these memory cells to be recruited in SARS-CoV-2 infection, we examined the same subjects for cross-reactive recognition of epitopes from SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid, membrane/envelope, and spike. The functional potential of these cross-reactive CD4 T cells was highly variable, with nucleocapsid-specific CD4 T cells, but not spike-reactive cells showing exceptionally high levels of granzyme production upon stimulation. These results are considered in light of recruitment of hCoV-reactive cells into responses of humans to SARS-CoV infections or vaccinations.

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Compliance with Prescribed Adaptive Equipment: A Literature Review

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/030802260006300204 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 65-75 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Trish Wielandt ◽

Jenny Strong

Keyword(s):

Occupational Therapy ◽

Literature Review ◽

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Daily Living ◽

Current Practice ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Under Five ◽

Functional Potential ◽

And Training

This article describes a literature review that examined the topic of the postdischarge compliance of individuals with prescribed adaptive equipment. Assisting individuals to accomplish tasks relevant to their activities of daily living and thereby achieve functional independence is central to the role of occupational therapy. The prescription of adaptive equipment is a frequently used intervention. The rationale for prescribing adaptive equipment is that it maximises a client's functional potential, allows for independence in activities of daily living and fosters confidence as a result of being able to accomplish such tasks. All studies that surveyed compliance with prescribed adaptive equipment between 1963 and 1996 were reviewed. The factors that reportedly affect compliance by individuals can be considered under five discrete categories: medical-related, client-related, equipment-related, assessment-related and training-related. On the basis of the findings of this literature review, recommendations are made for further research, specifically investigating methods that therapists could incorporate into current practice to address the problem of non-compliance with prescribed adaptive equipment.

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The functional potential of nine Allium species related to their untargeted phytochemical characterization, antioxidant capacity and enzyme inhibitory ability

Food Chemistry ◽

10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130782 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 130782

Author(s):

Gabriele Rocchetti ◽

Leilei Zhang ◽

Serena Bocchi ◽

Gianluca Giuberti ◽

Gunes Ak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Allium Species ◽

Inhibitory Ability ◽

Functional Potential

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Structural comparison of the rostra of two species of weevils coexisting on Ailanthus altissima: the response to ecological demands of egg deposition

BMC Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1186/s12862-021-01824-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ganyu Zhang ◽

Wenjuan Guo ◽

Xiaoyi Wang ◽

Qian Wang ◽

Jin Cui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adaptive Radiation ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Ailanthus Altissima ◽

Structural Comparison ◽

Structural Differentiation ◽

Functional Potential ◽

Egg Deposition ◽

Adductor Muscles ◽

Structural Differences ◽

Oviposition Sites

Abstract Background Elongated rostra play an important role in the egg-laying of weevils, and its emergence plays a key role in the adaptive radiation of weevils. Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus Motschulsky and E. brandti Harold co-occur on the same only host Ailanthus altissima, while their oviposition sites are different. In order to understand the adaptation between the rostra of the two weevils and their oviposition sites, the structural differentiation of the rostra in E. scrobiculatus and E. brandti was compared. Results The present study reveals that: (1) The rostra length of E. scrobiculatus and E. brandti was found to be correlated with body size, larger weevils have a correspondingly longer rostrum. The increase of rostra length may be a byproduct of larger weevils. (2) There were significant differences in the external shape of the two rostra, especially the shape of the mandibles of the mouthparts at the apex of the rostra used to excavate an oviposition cavity. (3) There was no difference in the size of the abductor muscles that control the extension of the mandibles, but there were significant differences in the size of the adductor muscles that control the contraction of the mandibles. Conclusions These structural differences reflect the functional potential ovipositional tactics of rostra, which is considered to be a response to the ecological demands of egg deposition, and also provide new insights into the coexistence of two weevil species in the same host A. altissima.

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Metaplasmidome-encoded functions of Siberian low-centered polygonal tundra soils

The ISME Journal ◽

10.1038/s41396-021-01003-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Adrian Gorecki ◽

Stine Holm ◽

Mikolaj Dziurzynski ◽

Matthias Winkel ◽

Sizhong Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Active Layer ◽

Bacterial Communities ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Metal Resistance ◽

Rapid Adaptation ◽

Tundra Soils ◽

Genetic Traits ◽

Functional Potential ◽

Stress Response Genes ◽

Genes Encoding

AbstractPlasmids have the potential to transfer genetic traits within bacterial communities and thereby serve as a crucial tool for the rapid adaptation of bacteria in response to changing environmental conditions. Our knowledge of the environmental pool of plasmids (the metaplasmidome) and encoded functions is still limited due to a lack of sufficient extraction methods and tools for identifying and assembling plasmids from metagenomic datasets. Here, we present the first insights into the functional potential of the metaplasmidome of permafrost-affected active-layer soil—an environment with a relatively low biomass and seasonal freeze–thaw cycles that is strongly affected by global warming. The obtained results were compared with plasmid-derived sequences extracted from polar metagenomes. Metaplasmidomes from the Siberian active layer were enriched via cultivation, which resulted in a longer contig length as compared with plasmids that had been directly retrieved from the metagenomes of polar environments. The predicted hosts of plasmids belonged to Moraxellaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Pectobacteriaceae, Burkholderiaceae, and Firmicutes. Analysis of their genetic content revealed the presence of stress-response genes, including antibiotic and metal resistance determinants, as well as genes encoding protectants against the cold.

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Ionic control of sperm function

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd9950905 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 905 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

LR Fraser

Keyword(s):

Ionic Composition ◽

Ion Fluxes ◽

Sperm Function ◽

Considerable Evidence ◽

Functional Potential ◽

Mammalian Sperm ◽

Acrosomal Exocytosis ◽

Extracellular Environment

Successful sperm function leads to fertilization. It is dependent on the extracellular environment, especially the array and concentration of various ions. Considerable evidence indicates that this is because of consequent effects on the intracellular ionic composition. Although both cations and anions undoubtedly play a role in a modulating sperm function, most of the evidence currently available concerns cations. Therefore, this review will concentrate on cations, focussing on Ca2+, Na+, K+ and H+. Their requirements for successful capacitation (mammalian sperm) and acrosomal exocytosis (both invertebrate and mammalian sperm) will be considered. In particular, the mechanisms which may control ion fluxes, leading to changes in the intracellular ionic composition and subsequently to changes in sperm functional potential, will be addressed.

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